Measurement of liquid parameters using a microfluidic device

Abstract

A microfluidic apparatus has a microchannel that includes at least one vertically oriented segment with a top section having a relatively wide opening and a bottom section having a relatively narrow opening. The top section is larger in volume relative to the bottom sections, and the middle sections taper down in at least one dimension from the top section to the bottom section. One or tens or hundreds of vertically-oriented segments may be provided, and they are fluidly coupled to each other. Each segment acts as a pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) cell, and the microchannel apparatus may be used to determine a parameter of a fluid containing hydrocarbons such as the dew point of the fluid or the liquid drop-out as a function of pressure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62 / 040,130, filed Aug. 21, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]Field[0003]The subject disclosure relates to the analysis of fluids containing hydrocarbons. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to the measurement of parameters of small samples of hydrocarbon fluid.[0004]Description of Related Art[0005]Retrograde condensates are hydrocarbon fluids that exhibit a dewpoint (i.e., the formation of a liquid phase from a gas phase) during isothermal depressurization at a temperature of interest. The presence of a liquid phase depends on temperature and pressure conditions in the reservoir that allows for condensation of liquid from vapor.[0006]Prior art FIG. 1 shows the phase diagram of a typical gas condensate. The fluid is in gaseous form at pressures above the solid curve, while it forms liquid condensate once the pressure ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that helps collect and detect small amounts of liquid using a microchannel. This device helps increase the accumulation of liquid by using a microaisle, which allows for easy detection of small amounts of liquid.

Problems solved by technology

It should be appreciated that the formation of a liquid phase in the pores of formation rock during production of a gas field may result in reduced liquid recovery.

Condensate dropout near the wellbore can significantly reduce the productivity index of a well.

In severe cases the well can prematurely die decreasing overall recovery under naturally flowing conditions.

Images